California | IN BRIEF / Southland

Also . . .

* Core Inc. said shareholders have approved the Irvine company's acquisition by Fortis Inc., a New York financial services group, for $4.92 a share, or about $45 million. The transaction could be wrapped up this week, said Core, which manages disability and other employee absence benefits.

Core's stock closed at $4.89, down 1 cent a share, on Nasdaq.

* Interpore Cross International said Tuesday it completed its acquisition of American OsteoMedix, a Virginia maker of minimally invasive medical devices, for about $21 million in cash and stock.

Interpore, based in Irvine, paid $8 million in cash and 2.4 million shares worth about $13.2 million, based on Tuesday's closing price of $5.50 a share, up 26 cents in Nasdaq trading. .

* Tangible Asset Galleries Inc. said it has acquired Superior Galleries Inc. of Beverly Hills. Terms were not disclosed. Tangible, based in Newport Beach, is a retailer, wholesaler and auctioneer of art, rare coins and other collectibles.

* John W. Whalley was named vice president of sales at PacifiCare Dental & Vision Administrators, a dental and vision benefits company. The 20-year sales veteran had been California sales director at Humana/Employers Health Insurance.